Yoga Class

THE TEACHER: Liz has studied Iyengar yoga with advanced level certified teachers since 1998. She began teaching in Evanston and Chicago, IL as an apprentice and continues to work toward certification.

WHO SHOULD COME: This beginning level course is open to all students and will focus on proper alignment, the use of props to accommodate all body types and sequencing to progress students in standing and seated poses, safe inversions, twists and reclining postures.

TIME: 5:15 to 6:45pm

Wednesdays beginning March 7-March 28, 2012 [subsequent courses will run 8 weeks]

COST: $56 for 4 weeks; $112 for 8 weeks.

To reserve your spot or for questions: Liz Carvlin Fuesel, ecarvlin@gmail.com.

Please note: This is a private class that requires payment and the instructor is not working for the church.

Are you interested in learning more about the church and its programs?

Are you interested in socializing with others from the church community?

Are you interested in a free dinner?

Are you interested in talking about what programs would engage our community members?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then make sure that you are at First Unitarian Church on Saturday, February 18^th at 4pm for our community forum entitled: 

“Engaging the Dream, Turning Dreams into Reality”

Why should you come?  The simplest answer is because we need help from each other to grow and develop engaging programs at our church.  Everyone's input is valued!

What will we be doing?   

4-5pm – Ministry Team Fair – walk around and talk with team members about some of the teams and programs at First Unitarian Church, find out what volunteer opportunities are available, take the First UU Quiz, and fill up your Bingo card!

5-6pm – “Dream List” and Table Discussions – We will be going over some of the Dreams that people provided from our January 15^thservice.  Then we will break into small groups for table discussions.  Everyone will have a chance to discuss and give their feedback on a couple of important questions.  Join in the discussion and help us start to turn our Dreams into Reality!

6-7pm – Dinner is served! (Vegan and Gluten-Free options will be available)  Enjoy a yummy, free dinner and get to know the folks at your table a little better.  What ideas did everyone come up with at the Table Discussions? 

7pm – We will have a brief update to some of the things happening with our new Ministry Team Leadership structure, what this means for the teams, and how it will help our church.

7:30pm – Prize Drawing!   If you like wine, Mexican food, or groceries, you will like some of the items that will be raffled off.  Make sure to get your name into the Prize drawing.   See below for a list of just some of the prizes as well as how to get yourself as many entries as possible!

7:45pm – Community Discussion – We will open the floor up for some discussion, feedback on some of the ideas that came out of our table topics and presentations, and answer any questions that people might have. 

What do we need from you? 

Please RSVP using the information below so that we can know how much food to make.  We want to make sure we feed your body as well as your soul!  We also need to know if you require childcare for the evening. 

How do I make sure to get lots of entries into the Prize Drawing?

1. RSVP for the event using this link – http://www.tinyurl.com/firstuufun  OR  email Ben Wallace at bmwallace@gmail.com  OR  call Ben Wallace at 402-680-6226

2. Complete the First UU Quiz

3.  Fill up your Bingo Card at the Ministry Team Fair

4.  Put your idea into the “Idea Pot” during dinner.

5. Come dressed as your favorite Unitarian (can't be yourself...)  For ideas go to www.famousuus.com

What Prizes can I win?

-       Gift Certificate to Wohlner’s Neighborhood Grocery and Deli

-       Gift Certificate to Cantina Laredo Gourmet Mexican Food Restaurant

-       A wine tasting for four from Wine Styles

-       Original Art by Cheryll Wallace

-       And more… 

If you haven't sent in your RSVP yet, please do so as soon as possible.   If you forget or end up being able to come at the last minute, just show up and we will make it work!

If you have any questions call or email Ben Wallace at bmwallace@gmail.com or 402-680-6226. 

We have three nominees for our March selection. Please vote by Sunday 2/19 so we can get the result in The Flame for March.  Also please don't forget about our next meeting which will be on Monday, February 27th at 7pm at church where we will discuss About Alice by Calvin Trillin. Send your vote by email to Dave Richardson at drichardson@westside66.org.

Here are the three books:

 1. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain.

2. The Price of Civilization by Jeffrey D. Sachs

3. Retromania; Pop Culture's Addiction to Its Own Past by Simon Reynolds

Green News

(Reported by Ken Deffenbacher) 

Green Initiatives In Omaha--Green Neighborhood Council’s March Community Roundtable Facilitator: Kristi Wamstad-Evans, Omaha’s Sustainability Coordinator When:  Thursday, March 8th – 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.  Where:  Neighborhood Center, 115 S. 49th Avenue    All GNC community events are free and open to the public.    Ms. Wamstad-Evans was hired as the City's first Sustainability Coordinator in September, 2009. Over the past 2-1/2 years, she has worked to establish ECO-Omaha, the Office of Sustainable Development in City Hall, has been responsible for managing over $14 million in energy efficiency projects and programs, and has established many new tools to help facilitate and catalyze sustainability in the City of Omaha.    Ms. Wamstad-Evans will report on progress made since 2009 and discuss ECO-Omaha's plans for 2012, including building a community-wide web-based tool  for collecting information about local efforts to promote and implement  sustainability. She is very interested in learning what community groups and individuals are doing to help make our neighborhoods and our city more sustainable.    The Mayor's Neighborhood Grants provide local organizations with grants of up to  $5000 to pursue and implement creative green solutions in their own neighborhoods. Applications for the 2012 funding cycle are due March 26th.   Kristi will be discussing the types of green projects that were funded over the  last two years and provide details on how neighborhood associations and other  organizations can apply for a 2012 grant.    Tom McCauley, administrator for the Mayor's Neighborhood Grants will also be available to answer questions about the 2012 application process.   

Workshop: The Nuts and Bolts of Solar Energy & Organizing a Solar Buying Co-Op--When:  Saturday, March 10th from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.  Where: First Unitarian Church (3114 Harney St.)    This will be the second in a series of workshops co-sponsored by the Green Neighborhood Council (GNC) and the Nebraska Solar Energy Society (NSES) to provide information about solar energy and, for those who are interested, to work with one another and with local experts to organize a solar buying co-op.  Except for visits to solar homes and businesses, all Omaha Solar Buying Co-Op meetings will be held the second Saturday of each month from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. in the Common Room of First Unitarian Church, 3114 Harney Street. If you attended the first meeting on February 9th, please bring your packet of information and the other handouts with you, or click here to access and print the information, www.greenomahacoalition.org. These workshops are free and open to everyone interested in learning about solar energy and the opportunity to help organize a community-led solar buying co-op.   

Unitarian of the Year Award 

 & 

Elected Positions

The Nominating Committee wants YOUR input!

Do you know a Unitarian of the Year?

The Unitarian of the Year Award honors a member of our congregation for significant contributions to our church       community this year.  Please take time now to submit your nominations for one or more individuals deserving of this recognition. To submit a nomination send an email to nominations@firstuuomaha.org, or call Shelton Hendricks or leave a note in the Nominating Mailbox at church. The UU of the Year Award is presented at our Annual Membership Meeting in May.

Are you ready to serve in an elected position? Or do you know someone who would be an excellent candidate?

The Nominating Committee is looking for church members who are willing to serve in elected            positions. We welcome self nominations if you are interested in serving. We also welcome your    suggestions of  others you think are good candidates.

Serving in an elected position is a valued gift to the church of your time and talents. In return, you are likely to deepen your personal connection to the church and better understand its importance in the lives of many of our members and our community. You will form new relationships and develop new leadership skills.

Positions to be filled include the President-Elect, Members of the Board of Trustees, and a Trustee of the Capital Trust, and members of the Nominating Committee.

 Membership in First Unitarian Church of Omaha with a history of supporting the Church both financially and as a volunteer is required for any position. 

Members elect positions at the Annual Meeting in the Spring.

To submit nominations for elected positions or for more information: contact any member of Nominating Committee, email nominations@firstuuomaha.org or call Shelton Hendricks.

President-Elect - 1 member is elected to serve a 2 year term as President-Elect / President.

This is a respected position in our congregation. Although it requires considerable commitment of time and energy, the rewards are incalculable. Members appreciate your leadership, you will learn many new skills, and your appreciation of our church and congregation will deepen. You will also have the opportunity to formally represent the congregation at General Assembly and district events.

The president-elect serves on the Board of Trustees, the Board Executive Committee, and prepares to serve as the president in his/her second year. The time commitment is more than the 10-14 hours a month expected of a Board member, but variable depending on issues before the congregation. 

The president compliments and works in cooperation with the ministry team. Aside from the necessary communication and managerial skills, the president needs the broad perspective to lead the Board as it focuses on the long-term vision and mission of our Congregation. 

Board of Trustees — 3 year terms

Our Board of Trustees and our Ministry Team work in partnership to serve the mission of the Church. Board members will be focusing primarily on the long-term vision, mission, and well being of our Congregation, not on administrative detail.  This change in Board focus is a key element of the new governance structure.  The day-to-day management of the Church will be the responsibility of the Ministry Team. The Board provides the Ministry Team with the goals that it needs to guide its work and also monitors and evaluates its performance.  

Board members should honor and respect confidentiality, work cooperatively, put the interests of the church’s mission ahead of personal interests or the interests of any constituency, and be willing and able to regularly engage in formal and informal conversations with Congregation members and participate in church activities.

A normal month will require approximately 10–14 hours of active work to prepare for and attend regular monthly board meetings (currently held on the second Tuesday at 7 p.m.).  Additionally, Board members have required training for the position (normally ½ weekend day early in each church year) and attend the Board’s annual planning retreat (normally 1 ½ weekend days).  From time to time Board members also serve on ad hoc Board Committees exploring special topics.

Trustees of the Capital Trust Fund - 1 member will be elected to serve a 3-year term as a Trustee.

The Capital Trust was established to hold and invest certain funds of the church.  You will monitor investments and make investment decisions within the guidelines established by the trust.  The Trustees provide reports to the Board of Trustees and the Congregation.

Nominating Committee - 3-year terms

Members of this Committee become knowledgeable about people in our congregation and the church’s goals to effectively recruit officers, and to support nominations for district and congregational awards.  Nominating Committee members may interview members of the congregation, prepare written summaries of candidates or award winners, participate in leadership-growth activities and in decision making processes in-person and electronically.  

Submitted by the Nominating Committee: Georgia Barber, Bob Hess, Tony Host, Kerry Case, Lynette Ryder, Judith Wright, and  Shelton Hendricks (convener).

February 19—Mistakes, Retakes, New Takes

Rev. Dr. Sarah Voss

Change yourself, change the world.  This sermon will offer a brief look at how and why we deal with our errors. Music: 9:30am: Donovan Johnson and the Early Morning Risers; 11:15am: Patricia Will, pianist; First Unitarian Choir led by Bob McMeen, accompanist Patricia Allender.

Our special musician guest (at the 9:30am service only) is Merritt Smith, an Omaha saxophonist. You won't want to miss this Sunday's 9:30am contemporary service!